World Animal Day

World Animal Day

October 4

World Animal Day is on the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, who is Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment, and it is celebrated all over the world on October 4th.

Buddhists strive to extend their compassion to all living beings, both human and animal. Like us, animals have the capacity to feel pain, fear, love and kindness. Many Buddhist centres are holding special pet blessing events at this time. Kyabje Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche encourages people to do this. He says:

"The purpose of this is to bring peace to the animals and to make their lives meaningful, so that sooner or later they can be fully awakened and achieve highest happiness." [2a]